Rye Varsity Outdoor Track and Field Head Coach Bryan Johnson has named his two MVPs for the 2025 spring season: senior Erin Ball (girls) and junior Ben Truman (boys).
“As a result of the way she prepares, carries herself, and accepts others, [Ball] has paved the way for many of our future long and high jumpers,” Johnson said of his star multi-event senior. “She was a true role model this year for them.”
Ball capped off a dominant senior year with a medal at nationals, placing fourth among all Class B competitors in the long jump. She also participated in the high jump at Middletown High School this past weekend (June 13-14) at the final event of her Garnet career.
Ball’s resume is astounding, and it is all from the 2025 season, her only one competing in track. She was named the Rye City Lion’s Club Athlete of the Year after setting school records in both long and high jump, and she was named to the All-League, All-County, and All-Section teams. She graduates as one of Rye’s best one-year track and field athletes in their storied history.
On the boys side, Ben Truman shined from fall cross country all the way through the spring slate, completing a full academic year as the top male athlete on Johnson’s squads. He earned All-League honors in the outdoor season for his consistency and performance, which included a personal record 1:56.35 mark in the 800M dash at nationals on June 13.
“Ben’s work ethic and his dedication to the sport really sets him up for the success that he has had this season,” Johnson told MyRye.com. “He works really hard during practice and truly focuses in on how he’s feeling and how he can help his performances.”
Truman’s best event was the 800, but he also competed and excelled in a 1600M race as a junior, showing off his versatility and willingness to adjust his strategies for different lengths. Johnson was quick to point out Truman’s coachability as one of his greatest assets. Fortunately for the entire Garnets’ roster and staff, the three-season star is coming back to dominate once again in 2026 for his much-anticipated senior year in cross country, indoor, and outdoor.
Both Ball and Truman also won team MVP in the winter, becoming the second and third multi-sport MVPs of the 2025 athletic season. Chris Iuliano (football and boys lacrosse) is the other multi-MVP winner from the past year.
